Chapter 6: Like a Puppet, He is the County Magistrate

“When traveling abroad, one’s own cultivation is of the utmost importance.”

“Under no circumstances should one neglect their own practice.”

Jiang Sheng forcibly suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his mind, sat cross-legged on the summit of Qingping Mountain, and after consuming a medicinal pill, began his midday cultivation.

For a Penglai cultivator, unless something unexpected occurs, the daily morning and evening lessons cannot be missed.

More diligent cultivators will even practice a midday lesson.

Although the hour of noon is the peak of Yang in the day, when the great sun is at its most dazzling and intense, ordinary cultivators would never absorb the extremely rigid and fierce essence of the sun at this time. However, absorbing the free-roaming spiritual energy between heaven and earth or consuming medicinal pills is perfectly fine.

The existence of medicinal pills is meant to facilitate a cultivator’s day-and-night practice.

From the ancient era, when cultivators could only gather the morning mist at dawn and the moonlight at dusk, to the present day where one can practice continuously for all twelve hours of the day, the emergence of medicinal pills is undoubtedly of extreme importance.

The pill Jiang Sheng consumed was the Yuan-Gathering Pill, the most commonly used pill for Dao-Foundation cultivators.

Furthermore, the Yuan-Gathering Pills produced by Penglai not only contain the least amount of pill toxins but are also of stable quality, ensuring there is no risk of "poison pills."

When a cultivator is traveling, who wouldn't be extra cautious when purchasing pills or magical artifacts from others?

Those pills that look perfect in quality and excellent in finish—who can truly be certain they aren't poisonous?

Loose cultivators do not have many choices, and their ability to discern the quality of pills is almost non-existent. Aside from robbing others, they can only purchase from pill shops, unable to guarantee the state of the medicine.

But a cultivator like Jiang Sheng, who hails from an orthodox sect, can purchase pills from his own sect.

This can be considered a hidden benefit; whether it is pills or magical artifacts, purchasing from one’s own sect is always the most reassuring, and there is no need to worry about any hidden consequences.

This period of time could be considered the most peaceful since Jiang Sheng left his sect.

Every morning, when the sun first rises, he gathers the purple mist of the dawn; at noon, he consumes a Yuan-Gathering Pill; and at night, he gathers the essence of the Taiyin moonlight to practice.

His cultivation continues to improve, and the Daoist temple on the mountainside is also being constantly repaired, taking shape in just a short time.

The people of Qingping Town only concern themselves with repairing the temple halfway up the mountain; no one dares to come to the summit to disturb Jiang Sheng’s cultivation.

Although there are more hunters in the mountains now, they also know their place and do not dare to disturb Jiang Sheng.

Cultivation places the greatest emphasis on one’s state of mind. If one cannot restrain the "heart-monkey" or rein in the "thought-horse," failing to calm the mind makes it impossible to improve, nor can one continue to climb the path of longevity.

Jiang Sheng’s state of mind has always been praised by the sect elders, and furthermore, Jiang Sheng quite enjoys this feeling of practicing quietly alone, undisturbed by the outside world.

Unfortunately, such days are always short.

After Jiang Sheng had enjoyed a rare month of quiet cultivation, the people of Qingping Town finally came to find him.

On this morning, Jiang Sheng was practicing by absorbing the purple mist of the dawn as usual. Before he could finish his lesson, Tian Guofu arrived, panting, with several attendants in tow.

Seeing that Jiang Sheng was in the middle of cultivation, Tian Guofu did not disturb him, but stood quietly to the side until Jiang Sheng had finished his work, at which point he said, "Daoist Jiang, the temple is finished."

Jiang Sheng’s heart was as still as water, his expression indifferent: "Built in just over a month. Mayor Tian, your speed is quite fast."

Tian Guofu gave a sheepish smile: "Everyone is grateful to Daoist Jiang for removing a scourge for us, so everyone worked very nimbly."

Jiang Sheng slowly stood up, exhaled a breath of turbid air, and turned to look at Tian Guofu: "Grateful? If you aren't cursing me in your hearts, I should be thankful."

Under the gaze of Jiang Sheng’s eyes, Tian Guofu felt himself breaking into a cold sweat. He felt as if he had been seen through completely, as if no thought could escape those eyes that resembled the stars.

"How, how could that be? Daoist Jiang, you are joking," Tian Guofu said with a forced laugh.

Jiang Sheng nodded: "It is that you dare not, not that you do not want to."

"The people of Qingping Town helped me build the temple, although it is because I slew the tiger demon in this mountain. But the main reason is that you believe I can help you get rid of the River God of the Taiping River as well."

"And because I did not promise you, there is resentment in your hearts, feeling that I took the benefit without doing the work."

As Jiang Sheng spoke, he began to walk down the mountain: "But Mayor Tian, do you know that I never owed you anything?"

"That temple was built voluntarily by you after I removed the tiger demon; I did not force you to build it. I do not trade on favors, and I hope you do not expect to use a temple to coerce me."

Seeing Jiang Sheng walking further and further away, Tian Guofu grew anxious and hurriedly followed: "Daoist Jiang, I and the people of Qingping Town absolutely never intended to coerce you."

"That is good. In that case, you may all head down the mountain," Jiang Sheng said calmly.

Tian Guofu was stunned; not daring to say more, he obediently led his men down the mountain.

Returning to the town, Tian Guofu recounted the result and couldn't help but sigh: "This Daoist Jiang truly has real ability."

"So many Daoists came before to slay demons and were swallowed by the tiger demon, yet Daoist Jiang was able to kill it. That is enough to show he has some genuine skill."

A wealthy gentleman said with dissatisfaction: "So what if he has genuine skill? He won't get rid of that demon in the Taiping River for us."

"You must know, this year it is our turn to provide those six pairs of young boys and girls."

An old scholar suddenly said: "We couldn't invite him because our status wasn't high enough; Daoist Jiang didn't think much of us."

Though the crowd was unwilling to accept this, they had to admit it was indeed the case.

Tian Guofu asked again: "Then, in your opinion, sir, what should we do?"

The old scholar stroked his beard and smiled: "Doesn't our new Magistrate of Qingshan County say he wants to achieve some political merit and get rid of the demon in the Taiping River?"

"Mayor, why not inform the Magistrate of this matter and let him send someone to invite him? That should finally be worthy of Daoist Jiang’s status, right?"

Hearing this, the crowd couldn't help but nod in agreement.

At the same time, in Qingshan County, the new Magistrate, Zhang Qingyun, was filled with rage.

"I have just arrived in Qingshan County, and I never expected to be treated with such contempt!"

Zhang Qingyun was a newly appointed Magistrate of Qingshan County, having hoped to realize his ambitions upon taking office.

At first, Zhang Qingyun had indeed received a warm welcome from the local gentry and wealthy merchants, leading him to believe they would cooperate with his administration.

But unexpectedly, while these people called him "Magistrate" to his face and appeared respectful, in reality, his official orders could not be implemented at all!

Those gentry relied on their roots in the area for decades or even a century, and with their control over everything regarding the annual River God festival, the people of every town listened almost exclusively to them.

The wealthy merchants colluded with the gentry, keeping a tight grip on everything in Qingshan County, from the county office to the shops in the city and every town.

There was absolutely no room for Magistrate Zhang to maneuver.

On the surface, these people were respectful, but in secret, those gentry were the true masters of Qingshan County!

This made Zhang Qingyun feel immense humiliation; he, a dignified Magistrate, had actually been sidelined by his own subordinates!

Just as Zhang Qingyun was at his wit's end, someone came to report.

"Magistrate, Mayor Tian Guofu of Qingping Town has something to report."

*Lin Yuan's explanation: Jiang Sheng is a cultivator, not a chivalrous hero who is eager to help others. Cultivators have always acted according to their own sense of good and evil; they have the ability to act according to their own preferences. This is a world where great power belongs to the individual. Jiang Sheng has a good temperament and comes from an orthodox sect, but that does not mean he is a "good person" in the pure sense. It can be said that saving people is a casual act, not a mandatory one.*

(End of chapter)